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What a crazy beginning of the year it’s been. Some bad, some good–but all very exhausting!

My paternal grandmother passed away on December 30th, 2010. She had been sick for a while and we were all expecting it, but it still hit like a ton of bricks. Truthfully, I was never very close to her growing up, but when I got the news, I still felt the ground beneath me sway a bit. I got on a flight the next day and spent new year’s eve on a red-eye flight to New York. This was my first time dealing with the death of a close family member as an adult and I wasn’t sure exactly how to respond. Should I be openly grieving? Will I be able to express any emotion for a grandmother I was not very close to? How would I console my Dad? How would I feel seeing cousins, uncles, aunts that I haven’t for years?

Well, it all worked out naturally. My Dad dealt with it better than I thought he would. And though we were brought together for an unhappy occasion, it was nice to be with family for a bit.

But, no family event is without drama and there was enough of it to make me realize that I am really happy with my new life in San Francisco. I’ve finally gotten over the initial homesick period of 6 months, after complaining and whining about how I don’t fit into California culture. Being in New York for a week, without a lot of friends around made me realize that the only thing drawing me back to that city are friends and family, all of which are consumed with their own lives. I’m building a life for myself in SF; I’ve truly gotten to know myself here and have lots more to explore.

It also doesn’t hurt that while the Northeast is going through a snow dump, I am deliriously happy with California sunshine! I moved into a new apartment in a different part of town and I finally feel settled. I was previously living in Inner Richmond which is a cute and quaint little area, but a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. Now living in Russian Hill, I am walking distance to Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and the Financial District where I work. It is wonderful to be able to walk to work every morning (walking back however is a bit precarious because I live on top of a steep hill!). The views from my apartment are heavenly and while my new place is a bit old and smaller than my previous SF apartments, I am very happy here. My roommate is wonderful and exactly my age so we have a great rapport.

I also had two first-time San Francisco visitors; a close girlfriend and my younger sister and it was wonderful showing them my new town.